If you want to study in one of the most progressive and fastest-growing countries in Africa, you'll want to study in Kenya.

Located in eastern Africa, Kenya shares borders with Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda and stretches along the Indian Ocean. Kenya gained its independence from Britain in 1963, and today is a republic led by President Mwai Kibaki. Home to numerous ethnic groups speaking over 40 different languages, Kenya's rich cultural diversity, history and ecology make it a unique study abroad destination. 

Many students will find themselves in Nairobi, Kenya's buzzing capital with a population estimated at between 3-4 million people. Located in southern Kenya and 5450 ft above sea level, the city has warm days and cool nights year round. Students studying in Nairobi can see prehistoric remains at the National Museum of Kenya, visit the headquarters of many development agencies or spend time at Nairobi National Park.

In recent years Kenya has poured considerable resources in its education system and boasts a number of public and private universities, national polytechnics, and colleges. The University of Nairobi is the country's largest institution. Other well known schools include Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Egerton University, and Moi University.

Mombasa is one of Kenya's coastal cities and serves as a focal point for its contact with other ports along the Indian Ocean. Some study abroad programs use Mombasa as a base and lead students outside the city, enabling them to explore both rural and urban aspects of Kenyan culture. On SIT's Swahili Studies and Coastal Cultures Program, for example, students sail through the local islands for three days on a traditional African dhow. Other programs allow students to study a full-range of bachelor's and master's degree programs or pursue internships in the developing Kenyan economy. 

Known as the "cradle of humanity", Kenya provides archeology students the opportunity to investigate prehistoric human civilizations. Fossils found in the Lake Tukana region suggest protohumans inhabited the area more than 2.6 million years ago. On programs such as Rutgers' Koobi Fora Field School, students participate in archaeological excavations. Kenya's temperate climate also fosters a rich wildlife habitat, ideal for students studying zoology and biology. Nearly 12% of Kenya's land has been preserved as parks, game reserves, or other protected and managed areas. Students studying in Kenya will have the opportunity to observe the elephant herds in Amboseli National Park or the annual wildebeest migration in Masai Mara National Reserve.

Presently Kenya's economy is largely dependent on agriculture and tourism. Agricultural products include tea, coffee, dairy produce, meat, wheat, and others. Though the Kenyan government has engaged numerous strategies to stimulate the economy and fight corruption, the country continues to face significant challenges in its path to economic development.

Despite these challenges, Kenya is the financial and communications center for much of eastern Africa, and therefore is an excellent place for students to study international and African business, marketing, finance, economics, and related topics. Students interested in religion and anthropology also find vast opportunities to study African Islam, Swahili culture or African languages such as Cushtic, Nilotic and Bantu. No matter what subject you wish to pursue, you can be sure that you will be warmly welcomed by the Kenyan people and learn from their national motto "harambee", translated as "pull together".

If you want to study in one of the most progressive and fastest-growing countries in Africa, you'll want to study in Kenya.

Located in eastern Africa, Kenya shares borders with Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda and stretches along the Indian Ocean. Kenya gained its independence from Britain in 1963, and today is a republic led by President Mwai Kibaki. Home to numerous ethnic groups speaking over 40 different languages, Kenya's rich cultural diversity, history and ecology make it a unique study abroad destination.

Resources -

Embassy of Kenya, Washington D.C.: www.kenyaembassy.com
Government of Kenya: www.kenya.go.ke
University of Nairobi: www.uonbi.ac.ke/
SIT Study Abroad: www.sit.edu/studyabroad
KEI Abroad: www.keiabroad.org/
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: www.iie.org/gilman
National Security Education Program: www.iie.org/NSEP